Success by Design: Is it possible?

Dave Evansd.life lab

Stanford Design Program

Success by design:

Is it possible?

It depends on how you

define…

“SUCCESS”

“DESIGN”

It depends on how you

define…

definitions matter.

let me illustrate.

Remember at the end of high school… after you’d gotten into college?

What did the adults say to you?

“Oh, how wonderful! These are…

… the BEST YEARS of YOUR LIFE !”

can we talk?

what were they (or you)

thinking?!

Success by design: Is it possible?

now – back to our problem.

ENGINEERING THINKING

Solve your way forward

BUSINESS THINKING

DESIGN THINKING

Optimize your way forward

Build your way forward

RESEARCH THINKING

Analyze your way forward

WHAT IS DESIGN THINKING?DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINKING:

DESIGN THINKING is …

life

parenting vocationalwayfinding

education

… a good approach to WICKED PROBLEMS

DESIGN THINKINGThe process

Fail often to succeed

sooner.

Success by design: Is it possible?

Success by engineering: Is it possible?

YES !

NO !

Can you engineer success in school?YES !

and what you get is a kid terrific at doing

school and clueless at doing life.

so, what are we to do?

• people are not tame & can’t be solved.• outcomes to wicked problems are not guaranteed.• help students think like designers & build their

success.

REFRAMING

so, what are we to do?

REFRAME your goal:

• cultivate curiosity over competition

• instill a mindset of “Try it!” instead of “Watch out!”

• encourage failing faster (and cheaper) over getting it right.

• adopt an improv point of view with “Yes, and…”

REFRAMING

so, what are we to do?

REFRAME your dialogue:

instead of “What do you want to be when you grow up?” try:

• What are you enjoying learning or trying out?

• Who have you met whose life seems interesting?

• What’s going on in the world that upsets you?

• What grabs your attention?

• Tell me about something you finally figured out after lots of tries.

REFRAMING

so, what are we to do?

REFRAME college:

instead of “What do you want to major in?”or “Where do you want to go to college?” try:

• What do you want out of college?

• How are you thinking through college fit?

• How are you anticipating changing your mind while in college?

REFRAMING

THANK YOU !Dave Evans

d.life labStanford Design Program